Help Crackinhedz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bobh33]

I climb the mountain in search of your knowledge!!! I have been trying to follow other threads along with posting some of my own, but I have come down to these questions. I have the complete Onkyo HT-S894 system with HDMI audio/video from DVD to AVR and HDMI to TV with optical coming back.
I just am not happy with the audio yet on TV or DVD's. I just think it should be crisper and more precise, and hopefully at lower volumes also. I'm happy with the bass, but I just don't seem to be getting the "tight clicks" on things like something dropping on the floor or glass breaking etc. Do I have champagne taste on a beer budget????

1) I am still using original 22 guage wire
2) I have played with speakers levels, etc. in reference to the size of the room but maybe not the right way
3) What should the crossover settings be?
4) I have HD channels coming straight into the TV from the wall, so in my TV video settings, it's coming in on "exit" vs. video 1, etc.
5) Does multi-channel vs. optical matter in this system?
6) Any other audio setting ideas?
7) Is it true that cable providers don't send signals at "full strength" all the time which could lessen audio quality. If so, do dishes have any better quality/consistency in audio transmission?

Like I say, I could be too picky for my own good & budget. Thanks in advance for answering the same questions again (and again and again)!!!!